F(Z)J80 v8

[SNLC]

I came across these at KoH....

http://www.pacificcustoms.com/umpfilter10905kn.html

I really like that and have been looking for something like that for some time. Not just for the Cruiser but also for another project. A bit expensive but I think it is worth it and like I say I like it a lot. Going to get one for the Cruiser as my current set up is super cheesy and not so great.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Installed new tres, on the drag link too. Installed a new Slee panhard adjuster on the front axle. I had no idea the panhard was solid on an 80, beefy! My wheelskin showed up, I ordered it in November, it showed up a week ago.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

I had this truck listed for sale and decided today I want to keep it through the summer, perhaps longer.

Went to c&t the front axle last weekend. Got all set up and it became obvious we were not going to get much from a c&t, maybe 3*. So decided it was not worth it, instead I put in some 3* bushings. My castor is still out, 4-5* which is a lot. So after a little research I decided new radius arms is the route I want to go. I need to gain a lot of castor and don't want to do a combination of items like bushings, drop brackets or plates. Will go with Slee's or Superiors radius arms in a few months. Slee's give about 8* which would be about perfect on my truck to get where I want it to be which is 3.5-5* castor. Who knows though I may decide an extra $600ish for the Superior Superflex is worth it! The other option would be going Hellfire knuckles and converting to cross over steering. This though would more than likely require relocating the panhard but would allow much more turn on the c&t. I will probably go with the new radius arms as it is just much more simple and easier to do.

With the panhard adjuster in the axle is centered up nicely, within a 16th of an inch. I am going to get another one for the rear axle soon.

By June I plan to have;
-New radius arms
-UMP air filter box
-new front shocks, I have only 2 3/4" down travel with the current OME shocks. Probably do rear shocks at the same time.
-weld some angle iron on my rear lower links. The iron is already sitting here.
-new window channels, going to go through all the doors and fix everything up

Around the same time or shortly there after I plan to get;
-Slee short bus front bumper
-sliders, probably from CBI
-simple rear bumper to carry one full sized spare and nothing else, probably CBI
-Procar front seats
-Full sized spare
-tach calibration kit
-trans temp gauge
-keep tidying up my interior
-Monstaliner, decided I am going to do it up on this truck. I may spray it as I have a booth available. Going to do a dark charcoal, almost black. Only doing lower portion of the truck.

That's about it. I plan to use the truck as much as I can find time for this summer. Camping and wheeling.

Cheers

 

[alia176]

Selling it? Wow, so quick. What made you change your mind?

 

[Delancy]

Who knows though I may decide an extra $600ish for the Superior Superflex is worth it!

Fail.

The other option would be going Hellfire knuckles and converting to cross over steering.

Win.

Hit me up when you get around to it, if you're interested in saving money on Superflex Arms....maybe even flexy coils and shocks to match.

They do afford more "flex" but at the expense of double, double cardan front shafts (staying AWD) and cut and turn.

 

[SNLC]

Selling it? Wow, so quick. What made you change your mind?

I got a really nice project I want to buy the last bits for so I can build the friggin truck. Which is why I listed the 80 for sale. Another big issues with the other project(s) is I lack a shop where I can really get into a build. I have a very small shop, more like a workshop than a shop I can build a truck in. It works for doing axles and such but not for a full on build. It has nothing to do with the 80 but it is looking like I may have a shop available to me in a month or two. The shop right next to my house is becoming available and due to county rules I will be the only dude who can legally use it.

My buddy just sold his 100 yesterday. That is what made me decide to keep this 80 awhile! Odd I know.

Fail.

ya perhaps. When I made up my mind to go with some new radius arms the other day I did a bunch of reading on the Superior Superflex. The Aussies are reporting great things about them, the only reason I figure I might consider them. All I am really after is to dial in the front end with castor and get it how I want. That means I need to gain 8-10* which I can get from new radius arms, keep stock bushes, ect ect.

Win.

Hit me up when you get around to it, if you're interested in saving money on Superflex Arms....maybe even flexy coils and shocks to match.

They do afford more "flex" but at the expense of double, double cardan front shafts (staying AWD) and cut and turn.

Sorry I am slightly confused by this portion of your post. Do you have the Superior arms and want to get rid of them and are you warning me what I may have to do to run them?

I am a big fan of crossover steering and the Hellfire knuckles are super sweet. I just don't know if I want to mess with this truck that much. It means more fab than I really want to do on this truck. I am just looking to dial in castor and get it driving sweet without using offset bushings, plates or drop brackets. I don't really need a lot of flex as this truck is not going to be used in the rocks much at all. Just not willing to beat up this nice 80. If I could do the Hellfire knuckles and convert to crossover steering for about the same cost as new arms, then I am all game for it. I am just not seeing that though when I can bolt in Slee arms.

By the way, I am already part time 4wd. However, I have to run in 4wd often in the winter at speed. I have probably done over 4,000 miles this winter in 4wd. I may have to deal with drivelines anyways when it is all said and done. No way though I could fit a DC front shaft, without one I only have 1/2" or so of clearance on my trans pan.

Cheers

 

[Delancy]

When I made up my mind to go with some new radius arms the other day I did a bunch of reading on the Superior Superflex. The Aussies are reporting great things about them, the only reason I figure I might consider them.

I researched the year before I bought my 80, including countless emails with Superior Engineering, regarding the difficulties I'd known the "lifted" 80 front suspension/driveline to pose, and was sold.

3 link attributes with caster corrective radius arms, all without plates, drops, or the likes.

Sold me.....even after a seasoned pro claimed them "alchemy".

High quality and 5 times heavier than the OE arms, no joke....which comes in handy wheeling Braille, considering how low they hang.

95% there, but not an all inclusive solution.

Sorry I am slightly confused by this portion of your post. Do you have the Superior arms and want to get rid of them and are you warning me what I may have to do to run them?

Yes, possibly, and yes.

They're not the solution I understand you're seeking.

I am just looking to dial in castor and get it driving sweet without using offset bushings, plates or drop brackets.

I don't really need a lot of flex as this truck is not going to be used in the rocks much at all. Just not willing to beat up this nice 80.

So....

I am just not seeing that though when I can bolt in Slee arms.

^^Exactly^^

Based on the descriptive use, my opinion, having ran the SE arms for nearly two years, is Slee's are the better solution in your case.

By the way, I am already part time 4wd.

That was half the battle I fought, being AWD with complex pinion angles.

Even yet, the caster issue remains.

Cliffs

But SE arms suitable for 4-5" lift.

Buy 4" flexy coils that netted 5".

Caster issues abound.

Ratchet strap it to the rack to lower to 4" and check, still not even close to spec.

Couple steering issues with 37" Krawlers and it can be an interesting drive.

Frames been checked, axle verified straight, and the only solution I can see is to cut and turn.

 

[gofast]

Hey, What tires were on that patrol ute you were restoring? They look interesting. Kinda old school and I have a build going on like that

The one's in post 18 - pictures of the rolling chassis

 

[SNLC]

Thanks for the info Delancy. That is the quest I am on, to get it dialed in without a bunch of items to do it. I have no idea really how much lift I have in the front, I am guessing about 4". The rear has J springs which are giving a solid 4" in the rear, maybe 5" unloaded. The truck is sitting at a 1* angle towards the front so I think my guess of 4" is about right.


As far as the tires on the Patrol. They are very old Swiss/Austrian Military tires. They are just rollers for me to use in a build. They are hard as a rock. You won't find them in the USA but may be able to find them in Europe. I don't think they are worth using on anything, they are not a very good tire. If I recall right, they are Goodyear Suregrips, 8.75x16.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Got a bad cat. Have disliked the whole exhaust system and manifolds since day 1. Got a new roomate recently, old school friend, he is of the Jardine family, ie Jardine exhuast. So he and I will be re-doing the whole exhaust system, custom make some headers if I can't find something off the shelf to work.

I work with a body-resto guy on a truck I am restoring. He and I recently talked about some ideas and plans I have for the 80. First, we are going to cut & buff the truck. I got one rust spot showing up top center windshield. I bought the NOS windshield gasket last winter so going to kick out the windshield, fix the rust spot and get a new one installed with the NOS gasket. Going to Monstaline the truck up to the lower body line, and do most of the hood too. Going to do the liner in black. The accent line down the side of the truck I am going to do in white paint and get a few stencils made. One of the rear hatch logo and emblem "Toyota Land Cruiser" and one of a 100-series v8 emblem. That will get stenciled into the white line down the side of the truck. I am also thinking about doing the roof in white paint too. May or may not de-flare at the same time. This will probably happen next month but definitely by June. Think I will tint the front windows at the same time since we don't have any laws on that here.

New air box is happening next month. May build my own or just buy the UMP filter set up. MY K&N mess is giving me probs so it has to go asap.

I am moving in a new shop June 1st. At that point I will go for the front axle, thinking I am just going HF knuckles with a C&T and some re-configuring. Also planning to rebuild my doors at that time, ie new window channels and few other things. Shortly after that build bumpers and sliders.

A recent picture of the 80 in front of an FZJ80 chassis being used in a different build.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

I have been thinking about bumpers for awhile now. Not just for this truck but for another project too. A buddy had a very nice 80 he built up. The truck rocked but had one major issue. Weight. I think he tipped the scales at over 7,000lbs once the truck was done up. His rear bumper alone weighed 900lbs!!! I had the same problem on an 04 Taco I built up, way to heavy.

I have decided to go the route of keeping things light, on this truck and others. So I will be looking to make tube bumpers from DOM and some thinish plate, perhaps 1/8". Dimple die holes punched through plate where ever I can. Only use the plate where needed and also where ascetically pleasing. Myself, I would rather replace a bumper that gets beat up every 2-5yrs than be rolling around super heavy. Any interior stuff like storage bins or sleeping platform I plan to build from aluminum to keep weight down too.

Cheers

 

[Roc Doc]

Hey thanks for the info and post! I read this right before I prepp'ed the Cruiser for a trip last week. I was a bit short on time and didn't do anything to the brake light switch. I think you are right though and I bought a new switch and am kind of planning to just make a new bracket for it and hook it up.



Well I just completed a 2,000 mile road trip in the Cruiser! I left last Tuesday, picked up a buddy + his tent trailer and we drove down to Johnson Valley for KoH 2014. I prepp'ed the Cruiser a bit Monday night before we left. All in all the truck did great! We did some off-roading in the truck while there too. Saturday afternoon while wheeling in the sand we found a large sharp rock which wasted a sidewall on one tire. Fist sized hole through the sidewall. We mounted up the stock Desert Dueler 31x10.5 and made it not only back to camp but all the way to Vegas on it. I then bought a 35x12.5R15 Cooper SST. I am really liking the SST and think I am going to buy three more for the truck. The only other carnage was a split PCV hose which caused the truck to idle rough until I replaced it.

Oh ya, and on the way down last week, we stopped in Vegas and a friend took us to BJ Baldwin's race shop. We got the full tour and it was one of the highlights of the trip. Unbelievable trophy trucks and the builder is an awesome guy!

I didn't take many pictures but will post a few later today.

Cheers

We talked for a bit during KOH qualifying. Small world eh? How's the Cruiser holing up?

 

[SNLC]

We talked for a bit during KOH qualifying. Small world eh? How's the Cruiser holing up?

Were you the guy asking me about the v8 swap? I wasted a tire in the dunes down at JV, so the truck now has much better tires since you saw it.

I got a bad cat and need to dial in my castor but otherwise it is solid.

Cheers

 

[Roc Doc]

Yeah that was me. We were in the black Power Wagon next to you on the hill above Hammertown.

 

[SNLC]

Got my new wheels mounted up. I like the look of the truck about 10x more now! Little to much rubber and not enough wheel for my tastes but it will do and was the cheapest option.

It really doesn't have this much stink bug, just the angle of the dangle.

In case you are wondering, the wheels are Mickey Thompson Classic 3's. 15x8 with 3.63ish b/s. Tires are Cooper STT in 35x12.5R15.

Slightly narrower wheel than I had before, pics don't show the slightly narrower stance but I like it. Would have rather went 37's on 17" wheels but just didn't feel like shelling out the cash for that on this truck and these will suit me for my planned uses of the truck.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Bought two new 3" cats today and 4x o2 sensors. I got at least one bad cat and one bad o2, changing it all out. Also doing new muffler and all new exhaust. Going to try and find some headers that will work too, block huggers seem to be my only choice. Doug Thorley makes a set for the 5.7L although I am not sure if they are huggers, just need to call them and chat about the set and try to figure out if they will work on my truck.

Also bought the adapter for my iPod to allow me to hook it up to the OBD2 port. Just need to buy and d/l the software. I have heard people raving about it so figured I would give it a shot.

Not much else in my plans for the truck in the next 30-45 days besides buy some OEM parts, figure out front shocks and buy those, new air filter box and perhaps explore my castor riddle more.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

I just ordered a ton of stuff from CruiserDan. All the rubber to rebuild all 4 doors and the tail gate. Overhead light switches for all 4 doors too. Weather stripping, window runs and more! Also ordered up all new front turn signals and running lights.

Last bit I ordered up was a gallon of Monstaliner.

Tomorrow my body guy/restoration buddy is taking the Cruiser. He will have it a few weeks. I know I went over it but the truck is getting cut & buffed, Mostalined and some white paint in a few areas. Hopefully the clear coat is savable or we will have to re-clear it in the areas not getting covered up.

The Cruiser is also running excellent since the recent cat & o2 install. Hopefully in a month or so I can re-do the entire exhaust system and install some new headers.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

The new Wheelskin, wasn't all that impressed with fit. The last one I did on a FJ62 steering wheel fit better.

My weather stripping is getting shot, hence why I ordered up all new stuff.

Lots of chips in the paint down low, hence why I am Monstalining. Going with straight black.

For now my plan is to keep the fender flares and the mud flaps due to the amount of rocks and gravel we have here on the roads. The truck is also used more as a DD and weekend camper than serious off-roader so I don't think destroying my flares or flaps is in the cards. Time will tell.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Sent the Cruiser off this morning with my body/paint buddy. Spent an hour going over it all with him. The clear coat on my truck is so iffy we are just going to re-clear it all. Decided grill is getting blacked out too, probably with Monstaliner. Also going to detail out the roof rail and upper window trim which is all black. It is getting painted with a coat of fresh semi-gloss black. Stencils getting made soon for the side accent. All the new rubber is going in, window channels and then the doors sealed up with fresh plastic. After it is done with the body dude it gets the new windshield and I think I will also get the front side windows tinted.

Pretty excited but have to wait 2-3 weeks to get the truck back!

Cheers

 

[Krazytoy]

Guess we are not going camping for the 4th...